Page 1
Membership
Inspections
Board of Directors
Summer Activities:
  o Plant a Shrub Day
  o Light Up the Lake
  o Boat Parade
  o Kids Fishing Derby

Page 2
Annual Meeting
Lake News
Markers
MLRA Website

Lake News
We are sad to report that the MLRA lost a longtime member on Thursday, May 30th. Ralph B. Spurr, Sr., a loyal member of the Association for over 30 years and a dedicated Board member for several of those years, passed away at his home at the age of 85.
 
Ralph and his wife Jessie have owned their property on Lower Mousam for over 50 years. You may recall that Ralph was presented with an award at the 2000 Annual Meeting for his many years of service to the MLRA. We are especially grateful for the time and effort he put into the planning of the Annual Meeting each year. 

In addition to the MLRA, Ralph was an outstanding member of the AARP, serving 12 years on the board of directors. His many volunteer activities in the community were commemorated with an AARP award and a certificate of appreciation. Ralph was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Springvale and belonged to a local bowling league. 

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jessie, three sons, Ernest, Lawrence, and Ralph B. Spurr, Jr., eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed.

The Association also lost another longtime member, Mrs. Harriet Pegrum of Starboard Lane, who passed away in Sun City Center, Florida, on May 8th. She and her family were summer residents on 23rd Street for many years.

Mrs. Pegrum retired following a career as a high school math teacher in Flushing, NY. She is survived by daughters Jeanne Kemp and Barbara Pegrum.

Latest word on the dam repairs is that they won’t be completely finished until the fall. The dam still has an open hole about the circumference of a fire hose, and making this final repair may require lowering the water level a little earlier than usual. 

We have been assured that the Association will be notified when or if the lowering of the water level is to occur. So please keep in mind that you may have to remove your boats and docks from the lake a little earlier this year. We will keep you informed as best we can. 

The Lake Watch Patrol will be making their rounds again this summer, thanks to the continued donation of a boat from Square Pond Marina. The boat also has a new look with updated lettering that is more noticeable from a distance.

Please remember that if you witness a violation of Maine boating or environmental laws, you can reach the Lake Watch Patrol by calling 207-432-7048.

As reported in last winter’s newsletter, a renovation project was proposed to improve the safety and environmental impact of the intersections of Routes 11 and 109 in Shapleigh. This project involved installing special fencing, adding pedestrian walkways, digging trenches, and planting shrubs to prevent runoff. 

The renovation plan was recently approved by the Maine DOT Surface Water Quality Protection Program. In a letter to Debbie St. Pierre of York County Soil & Water Conversation, the Maine DOT stated they will be going through “project development this summer with fall construction, if all signoffs are obtained and other requirements fulfilled.” 

It’s important to note that once the project has been completed, “No Parking” signs will be posted on the new fencing. Parking will no longer be allowed on the beach side of Route 11. Options for a safe public parking area are still being considered by the State.

Markers
All 31 navigational markers were placed in their appropriate locations this spring. However, it is important to point out that moving a marker can be extremely hazardous. A Beef Island marker was recently noted to have moved from its original spot. It was dangerously low in the water, showing only about 3 inches above waterline, and left an open gap where boaters could have easily run aground. (The marker has since been relocated.)

Please remember that it is against State law to vandalize, move or destroy navigation markers, and if caught, you could be fined. If you see a violation or someone destroying or vandalizing a marker, please try to get the boat registration number and description of the people involved and report it immediately to the State Police at 1-800-482-0730 to contact a Warden.

MLRA Web Site
Have you checked out the new MLRA web site yet? Thanks to a lot of time and effort put in by our new friend, John Scarpelli, the Mousam Lake Region Association can be reached at:

You can visit the site to read the latest newsletter, check out the calendar of upcoming events, or reach members of the Board by e-mail. 

You can even contact the Webmaster (John) and let him know if you have scanned pictures of the lake or other ideas for the site’s construction.

The new site also contains links to other pages, such as ActonMaine.com and the Maine Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. 

What a wonderful way for far-flung members to keep up with activities and contact us with any questions or concerns. Come visit us soon!

The Board of Directors greatly appreciates all the work John Scarpelli has put into setting up the this web site for the MLRA. Thanks, John!! :o).